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ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 491
imitations of voice and gesture, was repeated to the present
biographer by the present biographer's wife, and he now began to
see in what webs and meshes of conspiracy these artful women had
enveloped the subject of the present biography.
Like Mrs. Brandon, and the other matron, Charlotte's friend,
Mrs. Mugford became interested in the gentle young creature, and
kissed her kindly, and made her a present on going away. It was
a brooch in the shape of a thistle, if I remember aright, set with
amethysts and a lovely Scottish stone called, I believe, a cairngorm.
" She ain't no style about her ; and I confess, from a
general's daughter, brought up on the Continent, I should have
expected better. But we'll show her a little of the world and the
opera, Brandon, and she'll do very well, of that I make no doubt."
And Mrs. Mugford took Miss Baynes to the opera, and pointed
out the other people of fashion there assembled. And delighted
Charlotte was. I make no doubt there was a young gentleman
of our acquaintance at the back of the box who was very happy
too. And this year, Philip's kinsman's wife, LADY RINGWOOD,
had a box, in which Philip saw her and her daughters, and little
Ringwood Twysden paying assiduous court to her Ladyship. They
met in the crush-room by chance again, and Lady Ringwood looked
hard at Philip and the blushing young lady on his arm. And it
happened that Mrs. Mugford's carriage—the little one-horse trap
which opens and shuts so conveniently—and Lady Ringwood's tall
emblazoned chariot of state, stopped the way together. And from
the tall emblazoned chariot the ladies looked not unkindly at the
trap which contained the beloved of Philip's heart: and the
carriages departed each on its way; and Ringwood Twysden,
seeing his cousin advancing towards him, turned very pale, and
dodged at a double quick down an arcade. But he need not
have been afraid of Philip. Mr. Firmin's heart was all softness
and benevolence at that time. He was thinking of those sweet
sweet eyes that had just glanced to him a tender good-night ; of
that little hand which a moment since had hung with fond pressure
on his arm. Do you suppose in such a frame of mind he had
leisure to think of a nauseous little reptile crawling behind him ?
He was so happy that night, that Philip was King Philip again.
And he went to the " Haunt," and sang his song of " Garryowen
na Gloria," and greeted the boys assembled, and spent at least
three shillings over his supper and drinks. But the next day
being Sunday, Mr. Firmin was at Westminster Abbey, listening
to the sweet church chants, by the side of the very same young
person whom he had escorted to the opera on the night before.
They sat together so close that one must have heard exactly as well